Car design changes so radically each decade that many enthusiasts can’t keep up. People have transitioned from the days of the stagecoach to the muscle car era, to the boxy era of the 1980s, and finally the modern era. Cars have changed dramatically in a short amount of time, and who knows what the future will hold. But not every vehicle is an appealing piece of art and design, and some cars are just plain ugly. Take the Pontiac Aztek for example. The lowly SUV is widely considered one of the ugliest GM vehicles ever created.
And while we’re on the subject of GM and ugly cars, who doesn’t remember the dust-buster minivans of the 1990s? Other automakers have certainly had their fair share of ugly vehicles as well, such as the Ford Pinto. An ugly car isn’t always a bad car, but many of these diamonds in the rough are only recently beginning to gain value. We looked back at the ugliest cars ever created. These were cars so ugly that they defined the word, and most of these cars were never popular or sold well either.
1932 Stout Scarab
The 1932 Stout Scarab was a unique vehicle ahead of its time, but still one of the ugliest. It was a minivan-like car designed by William Bushnell Stout, an American inventor and aviation enthusiast. The Scarab was one of the first cars to feature a streamlined body with smooth curves and rounded edges. It also had a rear-mounted engine, which was unusual for cars at the time (via Hagerty).
It had a luxurious interior, complete with a bar and a small bathroom. Despite its innovative design and features, the Scarab wasn’t commercially successful. Only a few were produced as a result. However, it remains a fascinating piece of automotive history that showcased the potential for unique, unconventional car designs.